Major city · Panama
Las Lajas
Las Lajas works as a 2–3 night beach stop between David and the Pacific West coast: long Pacific beach, safe surf, basic services. Not a destination for nightlife or luxury.
Las Lajas is a quiet Pacific beach town in Chiriquí province, 10 minutes from the Pan-American Highway. Its main draw is a long, palm-fringed beach with gentle waves suitable for learning to surf. The town itself is small; most visitors stay in beachfront lodges and walk or taxi between them. It's a place to slow down, not to sightsee.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rougher sea)
- Airport
- DAV
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Las Lajas104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Las Lajas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyLas Lajas is generally safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 1 h 15 min by bus or taxi).
- Getting aroundWalking along the beach is the main way to get between beachfront places.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)$1.50–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi town–beachcheck$5
- Metro or bus rideBus David–Las Lajascheck$2–3
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personPAB 15
- Mid-range bedBeachfront private room, a night, per roomPAB 70
- High-end bedBeachfront private room, a night, per roomPAB 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 35 · Mid PAB 65 · High PAB 120
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DAV Enrique Malek International Airport (David) (About 1 h 15 min by bus or taxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (20 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Las Lajas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking along the beach is the main way to get between beachfront places. Taxis from town to the beach cost about $5. Buses from David stop on the Pan-American Highway; ask the driver to let you off near your accommodation.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Isla Silva de Adentro and Isla Silva de Afuera
goDoor to door: Half day
Boat trip from Remedios (10 min drive) or Santa Cruz; ask at your lodge
Dolphin sightings possible; the islands have white sand and black rocks.
Santa Cruz Bay
goDoor to door: 2–3 hours
Taxi or drive about 15 min
Mangrove channels and coves; good for fishing or kayaking.
David
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the Pan-American Highway, about 1 h 15 min
Largest city in Chiriquí; supplies, airport, and connections to Boquete.
Boca Chica
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or taxi via the Pan-American Highway, about 1 h
Gateway to Isla Palenque and Gulf of Chiriquí islands.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beachfront (west of town)
Most lodges and guesthouses are along the beach road; walk to restaurants and bars.
Las Lajas town
Cheaper options, but you'll need a taxi (about $5) to reach the beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–90 excl. bed
- High
- $90+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beachfront private room1 × 2 nights × PAB 70 | PAB 140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PAB 65 | PAB 260 |
| Bus David–Las Lajas one way2 × PAB 3 · check | PAB 6 |
| Taxi town–beach1 × PAB 5 · check | PAB 5 |
| Boat trip to Isla Silva2 × PAB 30 · check | PAB 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PAB 47 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 130 per person per day, bed included | PAB 518 |
2026 estimate in US dollars (PAB = USD). Cash only in most places.
Prices of common things
| Bus David–Las Lajascheck | $2–3 |
| Taxi town–beachcheck | $5 |
| Boat trip to Isla Silvacheck | $25–35 per person |
| Meal at a beachfront restaurant | $8–15 |
| Beer (bottle) | $1.50–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses from David are infrequent; check the return schedule in advance.
- The beach has no lifeguards; swim with caution, especially in the rainy season.
- ATMs are scarce; bring enough cash from David or Santiago.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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Las LajasLas Lajas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lléveme a esta dirección, por favorTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire103
- General emergency911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus David–Las Lajas: $2–3, about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi town–beach: $5 (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello / Good morning (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KWEH-stah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh eh-STAH lah PLAH-yah)
- Me gustaría … — I would like … (meh goo-stah-REE-ah)
Cash only in most places; bring small bills.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Las Lajas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rougher sea) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Las Lajas
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